Review of Ride with the Devil (1999) by Maisy S — 06 Jan 2004

We finally rented this DVD this past weekend. It's a good film, though won't appeal to everyone. Looking at any film based on the time period of the 1860's in the U.S. of America is always a treat. This war is so wrongly portrayed in most areas of writing and film as "The winner writes the history".

At any rate Tobey Maguire fits well in this role and a learned southern boy. The film is very engaging for those who like 19th century war. Not part of any regulars, the boys this film follows get into lots of squirmishes and find death in many places. Tobey's character 'Jake' is the critical eye this story is really told or seen through.

There are plenty of cutesy maniac southern boys in and out of this movie. Gripping scenes, ghoulish gorey bullet damage ... but Jake stays in the forefront as the one who is telling this story, growing up in the midst of war.

Like any decent film, it has a tidy end, sort of. More a mystical all will be well ... sort of thing, but no real truth to knowing so. Just the feeling with everyone going off to find their ... (those who are alive at the end of the film ;) ).

This isn't a review, just my thoughts on reflection of the film.